Roia spent the majority of her childhood in Iran asking her parents for a piano. When that didn't work, she began to consider the guitar as an alternate. That seemed to do the trick, because her parents finally gave in, and they helped her buy her first guitar at the age of twelve.
After teaching herself how to play chords, Roia came to the United States and started lessons with various classical guitar students from the Hartt College of Music (University of Hartford). Many lessons later, she was accepted to the Music Therapy program at Temple University (in Philadelphia). Her focus at the time was on classical guitar; however, she loved to sing and play the songs of Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. During college she started to write a number of songs, mostly piano-based.
Years later, she surprised herself by beginning again to write songs- at first on the piano, but then, gradually, songs grew out of her guitar playing. She found herself influenced heavily by her work as a music therapist, using her songs as an emotional outlet, and as a way to cope with the experiences she had working with individuals who had a great deal of trauma.
Roia started to play at Open Mics in and around New Jersey in the mid-90s, and was delighted with the responses she received. One particularly positive response from Michael Kianka (DTC Records) led to her first CD, “Songs From Behind Locked Doors” in 1999. She is currently working on a second CD, due out in 2006.
Roia has played her songs in venues from Vermont to Georgia, and she has had the pleasure of providing back-up vocals for her friend Arlon Bennett's CD "Fountain of Dreams." Some of her songs were also included in the independent film by Donna Dudick, "The Mommy Track.”
In addition to her work as a music therapist, supporting folks with autism, Roia and a group of dedicated friends run the Common Grounds Coffeehouse, a monthly venue in Clinton, New Jersey. The focus of the coffeehouse is building an inclusive community through music and art by and for all people.
ROIA RAFIEYAN: Songs From Behind Locked Doors
"Songs From Behind Locked Doors" explores what it's like to be a person dealing with the hard stuff in the world, using the beautiful way of music to do it.
Roia, thank you so much for being part of our Reunion Concert Saturday night! Your music and voice are absolutely amazing. You made lots of new fans in the Lehigh Valley who are eagerly awaiting your next CD and your return!
Thanks Roia I'm so looking forward to it. And I would love to sit down and play "Ruby Jean & Billie Lee" with you again sometime. I thought that sounded so nice.
04/21/2008 07:30 PM - Candle-lit House Concert with Arlene McCann and violinist Dorothea DiGiovanni
private residence/available upon request Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003 Cost: $15 Description:Very thrilled to be sharing the bill of this show with young and burgeoning singer-songwriter Arlene McCann, whom I met when I performed at Sisterspace Weekend in Maryland a couple of years ago. Arlene has a great, fresh sound described by the Philadelphia Songwriters’ Alliance Rob Lincoln as a "...bit of Ani Di Franco and Michelle Shocked in her style..." Visit her website and vibrant MySpace band page at www. arlenemccann. com and www. myspace. com/arlenemccann. Returning to violinist Dorothea DiGiovanni’s (who will be accompanying me as always!) home for a lovely house concert. We are looking to get a minimum of 12 comfirmed attendees by by April 14th, otherwise we will have to cancel the event. To confirm, please call Dorothea at (610) 896-1746 (leave your name and number) or email Dorothea at melisande06(at)gmail. com. CDs will be available for cash and credit card sale. Refreshments will be served.
You sound great too! I love the variety of sounds! I feel a Carol King influence in your music :)!! We should get together and do an acoustic show! We do a lot of them! *Stephanie* Thanks for adding me!
hi, i just came by to have another listen to your songs. love it. if i didn't live approximately 10000000000 miles away i'd deffinetely come watch you play live!
thanks for adding us and listening to our song. if you get time to comment on the other we would appreciate it. Love your playing, hope it is going well. All the best, Farino
